Stars Aligned That Night (TO BE SELF-PUBLISHED SOON)

CHAPTER TEN

S&M

Ice

FOOD and foreplay was a highly erotic combination.

"Can I skip class tomorrow? Tutal Friday naman?" she asked and pouted while eating the last box of fries.

I thought she ate three large boxes of fries as I ordered five. Whew, what an appetite!

"As your teacher, I advise you to go. Don't waste your chances of having a good education."

"You're such a KJ! Besides, I need to talk to Lola about my condo unit. I mean twenty years old na ako so I deserve to be independent," she reasoned.

I lectured her. "Independence does not necessarily mean having a place of your own."

"Blah blah blah! Alam mo mahilig kang manermon. Palibhasa tanders ka na kasi."

"Excuse me? You're calling me old?" I asked, offended that she had the audacity to call me old.

"Yes, you're old, but you're cute anyway so okay lang. Tama ng lecture, okay?"

"I know you're sick of being told what to do. But I am just telling you what's right because I care," I said and caressed her beautiful face.

"Thank you," she smiled.

We watched some TV series then she fell asleep in my arms. I never felt comfortable with anyone since my wife died. Somehow seeing her in my arms seemed right.

Like she belonged there. Fuck, where did that thought come from?

They said what we had was no strings attached but somehow it tied you down unknowingly. There was a high probability of developing feelings while having a sexual relationship with someone which scared me. I didn't know if I was ready.

She was young and maybe needed an experienced lover, but thinking of someone having her was unleashing the inner caveman in me. I didn't want anyone to have her but me. I had no right to be possessive, but fuck, I did feel possessive. I really did.

When Penelope left for school, I decided to hit the gym. Adam decided to join me and we were catching up while on the bench press.

"Kamusta ang first day sa AU?" tanong niya habang naglilift ako.

"No words seem to describe it."

"Really? Let's go to the cafe and talk about it. You hit the gym whenever something's bothering you," he said so I relented and went to a cafe near the gym.

"So, what is it that is bothering you?" he inquired seriously which made me scoff.

"What are you? A shrink?"

"No. Just a concerned citizen," he replied as he sipped his coffee.

"When did you become so nosy?" I asked, annoyed.

"'Di ka pa sanay. Kulang na lang maging si Ate Charo ako dahil sa mga problema ng barkada natin. Come on, let it out."

Adam was right. During our college days, he was the one we asked for advice as he was the most level-headed of us all. Ilang inuman session din ng mga barkada namin na siya ang tagabigay ng payo.

"I'm seeing someone," I blurted out.

Adam made a fist bump in the air. "Seeing... as in date or screwing around?"

"Both or the latter. Maybe."

"Sorry, Clarissa, but congratulations is in order. You are step one in the art of moving on. So, what seems to be the problem?"